Written questions by Obese-Jecty.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of enhancing machine-speed (a) processing, (b) exploitation and (c) dissemination in order to rapidly transform raw sensor data into actionable intelligence.

The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) outlines the need for the Ministry of Defence (MOD) to adopt automation and AI at scale, these capabilities are critical to the delivery of many of the SDR recommendations including the Digital Targeting Web. MOD exploits AI and Automation across the processing, exploitation, and dissemination process with continuous and robust assessments of the performance, reliability, and value of such capabilities. MOD will continue to integrate them in a safe and assured manner to enhance Intelligence and Targeting capability. The MOD is continuing to invest in a unified Digital Backbone designed to connect any sensor, to any effector, and to any decision-maker in real time. This infrastructure underpins a new way of operating and fielding capability, enabling data exploitation at speed and scale. At the core of this transformation is the principle of making data Exploitable by Design, ensuring it is structured, high-quality, and ready for consumption by humans, machines, and AI systems.

What funding his Department provides to BAE Systems' Falconworks programme.

The information is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. Our Commercial contract accounting tools only detail the BAE Systems operating company names in the contract reporting. It does not include any details of internal business structures, like the Falconworks team, within those operating companies.

What progress he has made on developing the Royal Navy’s Force Threat Evaluation and Weapon Assignment functionality enabled by Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning.

Force-Level Target Evaluation and Weapon Assignment (FTEWA) is a central part of the Royal Navy’s pivot to a Hybrid Navy, being developed under the Future Air Dominance System (FADS) programme. By networking our mix of crewed and uncrewed platforms together we will be able to use the optimum weapon from across the networked force to deal with each threat. Machine Learning, and eventually full AI, will be a key part of this functionality and be used in the generation of a single force level situational awareness view, the generation of a threat evaluation list and the recommendation of the optimum weapon to deal with each threat. This will allow operators to make the best decision in time to deal with each threat. FTEWA is in concept phase with the various building blocks described above being developed in parallel.

With reference to his interview with the BBC on 15 August 2025 regarding a potential post-ceasefire UK military presence in Ukraine, which UK forces would be deployed to the region; and which are ready to act from day one.

As a matter of longstanding policy we do not publicly comment on the readiness levels of His Majesty's Armed Forces. This is to safeguard operational security, and that of our Service people. Planning continues to progress at pace through the UK-French led Coalition of the Willing, including at the Defence Minister and Leader-level meetings last week. The UK will continue stepping up to support Ukraine and work with our allies to secure a just and lasting peace.

How many days were lost to sickness absence by civil servants in their Department (a) in total and (b) on average per employee between 5 July 2024 and 4 July 2025.

Between 1 July 2024 and 30 June 2025, a total of 360,823 working days were lost to sickness absence across the Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) civilian workforce, an average of 6.65 days per employee. The Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA)’s data is collected separately. For the RFA in this period, a total of 18,338.5 24-hour days were lost to sickness absence, an average of 11 days per employee. MOD civil servant sickness absence statistics are published by the Cabinet Office on an annual basis at the following link: www.gov.uk/government/collections/sickness-absence

What was included within the air defence export deal with Poland.

Four air defence contracts have been signed with Poland. The four contracts, MALAN, PILICA+, MIECZNIK and NAREW were signed between 2022 - 2024 with a collective value in excessive of £6 billion and include the roll out of British ground and sea-based air defence systems across Poland. The systems include MBDA’s Common Anti-Air Modular Missiles (CAMM) and associated launchers. These contracts are the largest commercial agreements ever secured between the UK and Poland and will sustain hundreds of jobs at MBDA UK sites in Bristol, Bolton and Stevenage, and also in Poland. Importantly, the contracts also underpin the creation of a cooperative partnership between the UK and Poland to support the development of greater air defence and industrial capability in the UK and Poland, further increasing regional security and greater supply chain flexibility.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the United States Navy’s Modular Autonomous Surface Craft programme on future (a) Royal Navy fleet operations and (b) US Navy interoperability.

The Royal Navy is working at pace to understand the implications of the Modular Autonomous Surface Craft programme. The developing plan indicates that the Future Navy will require a mixed force of crewed and uncrewed vessels, and distributed commando teams, each carrying modular, reconfigurable technology to defeat threats above, on, and beneath the waves and ashore.The Royal Navy and US Navy have a close working relationship within the 'Delivering Combined Seapower' framework and these close links ensure that both forces continue to progress their improved interoperability. Our combined work on NATO capability initiatives likewise ensures future interoperability with other Allied Navies.

What the Royal Navy’s Mine Hunting Capability Block 1 operational capability is.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer gived on 23 July 2025 to Question 68744 to the hon. Member for Romford (Mr Rosindell).https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-07-17/68744

How many Commonwealth service-leavers who have served between four and six years have paid for a visa upon discharge since 5 July 2024.

All applications are submitted to the Home Office. The Ministry of Defence does not hold information about the number of applications submitted by Service personnel on discharge, or by their family members.

What progress he has made on launching new defence growth deals.

New Defence Growth Deals were announced on 8 September 2025 in Plymouth, South Yorkshire, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Working in collaboration with devolved and local Governments, academia and industry, these Deals will bolster regional growth and our national security.

What progress he has made on the development of a Type 91 uncrewed arsenal ship/missile barge.

The need for a mix of crewed and uncrewed autonomous vessels to provide Air and Missile Defence and Strike Capabilities for the Royal Navy was endorsed in the Strategic Defence Review. Technology demonstrators to support and de-risk the transition to the envisaged ‘hybrid’ Surface Fleet are underway. The Type 91 ‘Arsenal Ship’ is being assessed for feasibility and affordability within the Concept Phase of the Future Air Dominance System (FADS) programme, with a recommendation to be made in the Outline Business Case planned for June 2026.

With reference to the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, CP 1337, published on 23 June 2025, what progress he has made on re-establishing a nuclear fuel cycle for defence reactor fuel.

The Nuclear Fuels programme is in its early development phase and we are currently working with industry to develop options for its delivery. These options will inform the timescales for completion.

Pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2025 to Question 69515 on Typhoon Aircraft: Decommissioning, what roles the four Tranche 1 Typhoons are conducting.

1435 Flight flies the four Tranche 1 Typhoon FGR4 at Mount Pleasant complex. The unit provides air defence and Quick Reaction Alert in the South Atlantic Islands.

What assessment he has made of trends in the level of growth potential in defence-related industries in Huntingdon constituency.

The Ministry of Defence is committed to ensuring defence is an engine for growth. However, we have made no assessment of growth potential in defence-related industries in Huntingdon constituency specifically. The Defence Industrial Strategy published on 8 September 2025 clearly set out how we are making defence an engine for growth - investing more money in key defence areas and regions across the UK to create good jobs.

What estimate he has made of the number of jobs the Tempest Global Combat Air Programme will create.

There are over 4,500 people working on the Future Combat Air System programme across the UK. At the core of the programme is the trilateral Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) partnership between the UK, Japan and Italy to deliver a next-generation combat aircraft. We expect GCAP to support thousands of jobs across all three nations.

With reference to page 14 of the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, CP 1337, published on 23 June 2025, what growth spillover benefits he plans to unlock in Huntingdon constituency.

The Ministry of Defence is committed to ensuring defence is an engine for growth. However, we have made no assessment of growth spillover effects in the Huntingdon constituency, or any constituency level at this stage. The Defence Industrial Strategy published on 8 September 2025 clearly set out how we are making defence an engine for growth - investing more money in key defence areas and regions across the UK to create good jobs.

What the lead time is between purchasing and delivery for Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile missiles.

I hope the hon. Gentleman will understand but I am withholding this information on the grounds of National Security as disclosure would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Ministry of Defence.

What estimate he has made of the contribution of Typhoon jets to GDP.

The biggest contribution of defence to GDP is peace and security. My Department has made no estimate of the contribution to GDP of any individual programmes and capabilities. The Defence Industrial Strategy published on 8 September 2025 clearly set out how we are making defence an engine for growth - Investing more money in key defence areas and regions across the UK to create good jobs. This year my Department has announced further multi-year contracts with UK companies for the support of in-service Typhoon EJ200 engines and the continuing development of the ECRS Mk2 radar upgrade programme that will be embodied on the RAF fleet. A resilient UK industrial base strengthens Britain's defence companies and supply chains to make us more secure and boost our economy, which will support making NATO stronger.

Which elements of the Global Combat air programme are included within the scope of the Industrial Strategy partnership with the Japanese government agreed in March 2025.

The UK and Japan are pioneering an Industrial Strategy Partnership (ISP) focusing on green and digital transformation, economic security and inclusive regional growth. The ISP aims to deepen UK-Japan industrial and technology collaboration through programmes such as GCAP.

Pursuant to the Answer of 12 May 2025 to Question 49543, how many of the houses reacquired by his Department in January 2025 from Annington Homes have been used to house Afghans brought to the UK via (a) the Afghan Resettlement Programme and (b) separately as a subset of the Afghan Response Route.

Surplus SFA not needed for our personnel have been used in certain circumstances. 795 of the 36,000 properties bought back from Annington Homes in January 2025 have been used to house Afghans who worked alongside out troops in Afghanistan who have been brought to the UK via the Afghan Resettlement Programme (ARAP).I refer the honourable member to the answer to PQ 72330 which provides the number of Afghan Response Route (ARR) Eligible Persons (EP) accommodated on the Defence Estate on 4 September 2025. The Department does not hold data on which former Annington Homes properties are occupied by ARR EPs.